Insect Biodiversity
Insect biodiversity accounts for a large proportion of all
biodiversity on the planet, with over 1,000,000 insect species
Insects and related
arthropods make up more than 50 percent of the known animal diversity globally,
yet a lack of knowledge about insects is hindering the advance of science and
society. This book explores the wide variety in type and number of insect
species and their evolutionary relationships. Case studies offer assessments on
how insect biodiversity can help meet the needs of a rapidly expanding human
population, and also examine the consequences that an increased loss of insect
species will have on the world.
Over 1 million species of insects have been described, but
current estimates of total insect diversity vary from 2.6-7.8 million species
with a mean of 5.5 million. Beetles (Coleoptera) make up 40% of described
insect species, but some entomologists suggest that flies (Diptera) and
Hymenoptera (wasps, bees and ants) could be as diverse or more so. Five orders
of insects stand out in their levels of species richness: Hymenoptera, Diptera,
Coleoptera, Lepidoptera, and the Hemiptera. A recent study estimated the number
of beetles at 0.9-2.1 million with a mean of 1.5 million.
Insect biodiversity accounts for a large proportion of all
biodiversity on the planet, with over 1,000,000 insect species Insects and related
arthropods make up more than 50 percent of the known animal diversity globally,
yet a lack of knowledge about insects is hindering the advance of science and
society. This book explores the wide variety in type and number of insect
species and their evolutionary relationships. Case studies offer assessments on
how insect biodiversity can help meet the needs of a rapidly expanding human
population, and also examine the consequences that an increased loss of insect
species will have on the world.
Number of species
Over 1 million species of insects have been described, but
current estimates of total insect diversity vary from 2.6-7.8 million species
with a mean of 5.5 million. Beetles (Coleoptera) make up 40% of described
insect species, but some entomologists suggest that flies (Diptera) and
Hymenoptera (wasps, bees and ants) could be as diverse or more so. Five orders
of insects stand out in their levels of species richness: Hymenoptera, Diptera,
Coleoptera, Lepidoptera, and the Hemiptera. A recent study estimated the number
of beetles at 0.9-2.1 million with a mean of 1.5 million.
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